Boy, 12, who went fishing feared drowned

KUANTAN: A 12-year-old fishing enthusiast was feared drowned when he fell into Sungai Belat, near Jaya Gading here at 2.15pm this afternoon.

It is understood that Mohd Danish Haikal Semar - a pupil of SK Jaya Gading here - was fishing at the riverbank with two others when the log he was standing on gave way.

According to a villager familiar with the boy's love for fishing, the victim did not know how to swim and an adult villager had tried to save the boy.

"However, he was unable to grasp the riverbank and pull himself up with one arm as he had the other arm around the buy. He eventually had to let go of the boy, who was then swept by strong currents," said the villager who declined to be named.

Taman Tas Fire and Rescue Department chief Mohd Idzhar Razali said that they received a call about the incident at 2.20pm and an eight-man team was dispatched to the scene.

"Search-and-rescue operation is being conducted by the department's scuba unit at the river," he said.

Meanwhile, a distraught Nazira Mohd Yusof, the victim's mother, said that her son had left the house at 2pm today to go fishing with his friends.

"Not long after that, I was told that he (Danish) fell into the river and has not been found.

"He (Danish) always fished at the river behind our house. However he does not know how to swim," said the 41-year-old woman.

295 reads

A 12-year-old fishing enthusiast was feared drowned when he fell into Sungai Belat, near Jaya Gading here at 2.15pm this afternoon. Pic by NSTP/ Zulkepli Osman